Interlocking Plant Propagation and Display Tray and Method of Use and Assembly

ABSTRACT

A plant propagation and display tray, capable of interlocking alignment with at least one other tray and capable of receiving and holding at least one plant pot, comprises a back wall and a bottom ledge forwardly projecting from said back wall. The ledge is inclined towards the back wall and comprises alternating projections and troughs, each trough inclining towards a trough point of abutment with the back wall and being of a conformation to securably hold one plant pot such that an open proximal end of the pot is exposed to view and a distal end of the pot is adjacent to the back wall. Each projection has an upper surface inclining towards a projection point of abutment with the back wall. The projection point of abutment is higher than the trough point of abutment with the back wall. The tray is capable of being attached to a wall surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119, of copendingU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/438,150, filed Jan. 31, 2011;the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference herein inits entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to green walls and, in particular, toplant propagation and display trays and assemblies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, the push for both industry and individuals to be moreenvironmentally aware has led to many green initiatives including greenroofs and green walls. Currently in cities such as Chicago, over 2.5million square feet of the downtown core roof space are covered withhardy green roof plants. Green walls and roofs provide savings oninsulation and place less load bearing strain on a building. Inaddition, plants being carbon producers, the use of green walls androofs are thought to decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Further still,these green walls and roofs act to offset the newly identified ‘urbanheat island effect’ where the heat-absorbing surfaces in a city raiseits temperature to as much as 8 degrees higher than that of thesurrounding countryside.

However, green walls currently known in the art have their own uniqueset of challenges associated with them, the first being gravity. Inconventional methods of greening buildings, it is well known to coverwall surfaces with ivy or to plant trees into the soil deposited on wallsurfaces. One of the early green walls disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,257,476 requires preparation of a plurality of bags loaded with soil,piling the bags against a wall surface of a building and insertingtrees' roots between the piled bags so as to plant trees, erecting alattice fence outside the stacked bags, and promoting the plants growthand clinging to the lattice.

In more recent years, seeding and planting panels have been used forgreening surfaces of permanent constructions such as buildings,retaining walls, and the like. These seeding and planting panelsgenerally include a panel frame, and a seeding and planting mat or blockcontained within the frame. In general, these types of panel frames arefixedly secured to surfaces of existing constructions such as buildingwall surfaces, roofs or retaining walls, and are integrally incorporatedinto the constructions so as to be permanent structural elementsthereof. It is very cumbersome to exchange these panels as they are noteasily disengaged from their supports and removed. In addition, as thebackside faces of the panels are concealed, general maintenance work isvery difficult.

By way of example, the following are offered as known types of greenwall technologies.

Japanese Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2004-254565 refers to:

-   -   “The greening panel 100 is composed of a panel frame 10        installed on the vertical plane side with a support frame and        forming a work opening enabling planting at least a pot seedling        at least on a front face, a bag-like mat material 20A arranged        and supported just in the inside of the panel frame 10, enabling        cut open work from the outside of the work opening and having        water absorption properties and restoring force, and a        vegetation base material 30 for raising a vegetation plant P,        filled in the inside of the bag-like mat material 20A or a        three-dimensional netlike mat filled with the base material. A        support frame is composed of many metallic linear support pipes,        pipe-connecting members connecting the ends of the pipes with        each other and hanging tools connected to part of the panel        frame 10 and hanging the panel frame 10 on the support pipes.”        (Abstract)

Japanese Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2003-155714 refers to:

-   -   “The greening panel device 1 is provided with upper and lower        greening panels 3 and 5, right and left vertical members 11 and        11 fixed to a wall 7 by vertical member fixtures 9, and panel        fixtures 13 for attaching each greening panel 3 and 5 in        parallel across the right and left vertical members 11 and 11.        The panel fixtures obliquely attach each greening panel 3 and 5        so that a lower part protrudes forward than an upper part, and        water receptors 15 guiding received water to the lower greening        panel are detachably provided on lower faces of the panel        fixtures 13.” (Abstract)

Japanese Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2004-248550 refers to:

-   -   “This device 10 for greening a wall surface has a plurality of        planting units 12 arranged along an external wall surface 4 of a        building 2 and planted with plants 14. Each of the planting        units 12 is hung sequentially from the top through hanging        members 16 to be connected with each other. The planting unit 12        on the top is fixed to a parapet 7 on a rooftop 6 of the        building 2 with a wire 18. The rooftop 6 of the building 2 is        set with a lifting and lowering device 30 for lifting and        lowering the planting units 12 through drawing and rolling the        wire 18.” (Abstract)

U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,603 describes:

-   -   “A plant-growing method for greening upright or slant wall        surface is disclosed. A flexible bag is first prepared including        a plurality of compartments sequentially juxtaposed in the        direction of the overall length of the bag. The compartments are        each provided with a plurality of openings communicating with        the exterior. Soil is then loaded through the openings into the        compartments with the bag being horizontally laid. Afterwards,        trees are planted through the openings into the compartments.        Thereupon, the bag which has been planted with the trees is        suspended along the wall surface in the direction of the overall        length of the bag while allowing trunks of the trees to be        exposed through the openings. Water is thereafter supplied into        the compartments of the bag to promote the growth of the trees.”        (Abstract)

United States Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2007/0199241A1 refers to:

-   -   “A light self-supporting vegetated wall includes globally        prismatic boxes, designed to be juxtaposed and/or stacked, the        adjacent boxes being assembled together. Each box includes        latticed or meshed surfaces, lined internally with a web, and        filled with a cultivating substrate, such as humus. A network of        water pipes and a network of air vents may be incorporated in        the thickness of the structure, these networks passing through        the parting lines between the boxes. The structure is designed        for urban enhancement, as well as for producing noise screens,        partition walls, hoardings and the like.” (Abstract)

U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,541 describes interlocking semi-circular planterswherein plants are individually contained in each discrete planter andwherein the back walls are formed with teeth and notches forinterconnection with other semi-circular planters on a wall.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,536,829 describes a planting base for use on walls androofs comprising a holding cover having an open window divided by aholding cross-piece and a tray for supporting the holding cover and forreceiving culture soil with which the holding cover is filled.

There remains the need for a simple green wall system which would alloweasy installation and removal and easy replacement of plants, while atthe same time providing optimal conditions for plant growth. It is anobject of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the above-noteddisadvantages.

Thus, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art systems,designs, and processes as discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a plant propagation and display tray,which is capable of interlocking alignment with at least one other trayand which is capable of receiving and holding at least one plant pot,comprises a back wall and a bottom ledge forwardly projecting from theback wall; the ledge being inclined towards the back wall and comprisinga plurality of alternating projections and troughs, each of the troughsinclining towards a trough point of abutment with the back wall andbeing of a conformation to securably hold one plant pot such that anopen proximal end of the plant pot is exposed to view and a distal endof the plant pot is adjacent to the back wall; each of the projectionshaving an upper surface which inclines towards a projection point ofabutment with the back wall, wherein the projection point of abutment ishigher than the trough point of abutment with the back wall; wherein thetray is capable of being attached to a wall surface.

The present invention further provides a planter wall formed of aplurality of interlocking trays as described above, one above another,and/or one beside another and attached to a wall surface.

The tray of the present invention offers a multitude of advantages notfound in any prior green wall system. In particular, the provision ofthe alternating troughs and projections on the ledge, and theinclinations of each “backwards” i.e. to the direction of the back wallcontrols water delivery to the plants (in the pots), once such plantsare in place within the troughs. In this unique arrangement, the body ofthe projections essentially takes up space where water would otherwisepool. The base of a plant pot, once in place, is thereby only exposed toenough water to allow wicking, while avoiding soaking. This reduces oreliminates problems such as rot. Furthermore, many plant varieties donot thrive being watered from the top.

The design and conformation of the tray in accordance with the presentinvention allows interlocking placement of a plurality of trays, oneabove the other, or one beside another and all attached to a wallsurface thereby forming, once plant pots are inserted, a “green wall”.By way of water drainage from an upper level tray to one below, wateringmay be accomplished by the use of gravity.

The system of the present invention is highly adaptable to a widevariety of green wall installations.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent to those skilled in the art upon reviewing thedescription of the preferred embodiments of the invention, inconjunction with the figures and examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following figures set forth embodiments of the invention in whichlike reference numerals denote like parts. Embodiments of the inventionare illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in theaccompanying figures and description of the preferred embodiments whichfollow.

FIG. 1 is an perspective view of a plant propagation and display trayaccording to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a further perspective view of the plant propagation anddisplay tray of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a plant propagation and display tray;

FIG. 4 is a back plan view of a plant propagation and display panel;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a plant propagation and display tray;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of a plant propagation and display tray;

FIG. 7 is an end view of a plant propagation and display tray;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a corner tray piece;

FIG. 9 is a view of isometric view of a single pot plant propagation anddisplay tray;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a plant propagation and display trayincluding one plant pot;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a plant propagation and display trayincluding one plant pot and a corner tray piece;

FIG. 12 is a front plan view of three adjacent plant propagation anddisplay trays, of differing length;

FIG. 13 is a front plan view of eight plant propagation and displaytrays in stacking arrangement;

FIG. 14 is a back plan view of eight plant propagation and display traysin stacking arrangement;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a plurality of plant propagation anddisplay trays, each adjacent to a respective corner tray piece;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view, from the top, of a plurality of plantpropagation and display trays each adjacent to a respective corner traypiece, with each corner tray piece then being adjacent to a respectiveplant propagation and display tray on an opposite side of a supportstructure;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view, from the side of five corner tray pieces,each abutting a respective plant propagation and display tray on bothsides of a support structure;

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of a plurality of two-pot plant propagationand display trays, with one being adjacent to a corner tray piece, whichis adjacent to a further two-pot plant propagation and display tray onan opposite side of a support structure;

FIG. 19 is a depiction of various plant pot sizes which may be used inthe tray of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the eight plant propagation and displaytrays in stacking arrangement, of FIG. 13;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the eight plant propagation and displaytrays in stacking arrangement, of FIG. 20, but each trough containing aplant pot;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional depiction of the irrigation/watering systemin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 23 is cross-sectional depiction of the irrigation/watering systemof FIG. 22, without the plant pots in situ; and

FIG. 24 is a schematic for a multi-tray assembly showing multiple watersupply lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to variously employ the present invention in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases usedherein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide anunderstandable description of the invention. While the specificationconcludes with claims defining the features of the invention that areregarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be betterunderstood from a consideration of the following description inconjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numeralsare carried forward.

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention isprovided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate theprinciples of the invention. As such, this detailed descriptionillustrates the invention by way of example and not by way oflimitation. The description will clearly enable one skilled in the artto make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments,adaptations, variations and alternatives and uses of the invention,including what we presently believe is the best mode for carrying outthe invention. It is to be clearly understood that routine variationsand adaptations can be made to the invention as described, and suchvariations and adaptations squarely fall within the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

In other words, the invention is described in connection with suchembodiments, but the invention is not limited to any embodiment. Thescope of the invention is limited only by the claims and the inventionencompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents.Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. Thesedetails are provided for the purpose of example and the invention may bepracticed according to the claims without some or all of these specificdetails. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known inthe technical fields related to the invention has not been described indetail so that the invention is not unnecessarily obscured. Similarreference characters denote similar elements throughout various viewsdepicted in the figures.

This description of preferred embodiments is to be read in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, which are part of the entire writtendescription of this invention. In the description, correspondingreference numbers are used throughout to identify the same orfunctionally similar elements. If and when used herein relative termssuch as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom”“front”, “back” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,”“downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc . . . ) should be construed to refer tothe orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figureunder discussion. These relative terms are for convenience ofdescription and are not intended to require a particular orientationunless specifically stated as such. Terms including “inwardly” versus“outwardly,” “longitudinal” versus “lateral”, “adjacent” and the like(if used) are to be interpreted relative to one another or relative toan axis of elongation, or an axis or center of rotation, as appropriate.Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected”and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures aresecured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly throughintervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments orrelationships, unless expressly described otherwise.

In the present disclosure and claims, the word “comprising” and itsderivatives including “comprises” and “comprise” include each of thestated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or morefurther integers or elements. The terms cords and cording may be usedinterchangeably.

The present invention provides, in one aspect, a plant propagation anddisplay tray that provides several key advantages including theprovision, by way of a unique configuration of troughs and projections,of a zone for placement of plant pots around which water does notunnecessarily pool.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, an embodiment of a plant propagation and displaytray 10 is generally shown. The plant propagation and display tray 10comprises a back wall 12 and a bottom ledge 14 forwardly projecting fromsaid back wall. As provided herein, the “back wall” refers to the moietyof the tray that, in use, will abut the structure against which theplanter wall is to be placed. Ledge 14 is inclined towards the back walland comprises a plurality of alternating projections, 16 and troughs 18,with each of troughs 18 inclining towards a trough point of abutment, 20with the back wall. Troughs 18 are of a conformation to securably holdone plant pot, (shown in 10, 11, 12 and 13, among other figures) suchthat an open proximal end of the plant pot is exposed to view and adistal end of the plant pot is adjacent to the back wall. Each ofprojections 16 have an upper surface 22 which inclines towards aprojection point of abutment 24 with the back wall, wherein theprojection point of abutment 24 is generally higher than the troughpoint of abutment 20 with the back wall. The purpose for this designwill be described further below.

Back wall 12 comprises a substantially flat upper portion 26 and a lowerportion, adjacent the ledge, which is thicker than the upper portion andwhich is defined by a plurality of substantially V-shaped depressions,28, each of which points towards a trough on the ledge. The reverse sideof back wall 12 is depicted in FIG. 4 which shows a substantially flatsurface for alignment with a wall surface, when the tray is in use.

It has been found that the inclusion of such V-shaped depressions,within this relatively thicker part of the back wall and “aligned with”or pointing towards its corresponding ledge trough affords enormousadvantages in increasing the overall strength and weight-bearing abilityof the tray. Without this feature, and for trays with more than a fewplant-pots inserted therein, there is a risk of sag and the potential ofthe tray not being able to support the weight of multiple pots, growingmedia and plants. It is fully contemplated within the scope of thepresent invention that trays may be of varying lengths and comprisediffering numbers of plant-pot receiving troughs. For example, the trayin FIG. 1 depicts 8 plant-pot receiving troughs. In FIG. 12, trays aredepicted with 8, 3 and 1 plant-pot receiving troughs.

Female alignment member 30 is shown in FIGS. 1-4, integrally formed aspart of back wall 12. Similarly male alignment member 32 is best shownin FIG. 4. In operation and as best shown in FIG. 14, when a pluralityof trays provided generally as 34, are stacked for use on a wallsurface, each such tray is aligned in the correct position, relative tothe trays above and below, by use of the male and female alignmentmembers. More specifically, for tray 36, female alignment member 30 isengaged by male alignment member 32 of tray 38. This alignment obviatesthe need for any other measuring means to ensure accurate verticalstacking of more than one tray. Holes 40 are provided on each tray forpass through by screws, nails or other means of securing the tray to awall surface.

FIG. 5 is useful to show the alternating arrangement of projections 16and troughs 18 and the preferred shape and inclination of those featurestowards back wall 12. Troughs 18 incline to trough points of abutment 20and are of a conformation which is acceptable to receive and securablyhold a desired size of plant pot 42 (FIGS. 11 and 12, among otherfigures, show one plant pot in place). The distal end of plant pot 42,when in place within trough 18, sits adjacent to trough point ofabutment 20. The entirety of plant pot 42 is additionally held in placeby the conformation of projections 16. In FIG. 5, the entire structureof each projection is clearly shown. In a preferred form, eachprojection comprising four sides (43 a, 43 b, 43 c and 43 d) meeting atapex 44. Side 43 c inclines towards and meets back wall 12 at projectionpoint of abutment 24. The importance of the configuration of projection16 and trough 18 becomes apparent in respect to water distribution andpooling within tray 10 and draining from tray 10. An understanding ofthis is best achieved with reference to FIGS. 5, 22 and 23.

FIG. 6 depicts an underside view of the tray of FIG. 5 and wherein eachprojection 16 (in FIG. 5) is shown as under-trough 16 a and likewiseeach trough 18 (in FIG. 5) is shown as under-projection 18 a.

FIG. 7 depicts an end view of display tray 10 showing back wall 12.

FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of tray 10 having pot 42 in situwithin one trough. Proximal end of plant pot 45 is the end into whichplants will be placed. Distal end 47 abuts back wall 12.

FIG. 8 an isometric view of a corner tray piece 11 showing back wall 12a and end walls 13. Corner tray piece may be used to “wrap” aninterlocking tray arrangement around a corner. It is preferred thatplant trays 12 abut end walls 13. This is shown more specifically inFIG. 11. Preferably, end wall 13 abuts an exposed end of tray 10,collectively forming a projection.

FIG. 9 is a view of isometric view of a single pot plant propagation anddisplay tray 11 a. Such single pieces, in operation and use may abut oneor more long tray pieces (such as tray 10) or one or more corner pieces,such as 11 and aid in flexible design configurations. FIG. 12illustrates the alignment or abutment of tray pieces of varying lengthto accommodate a multitude of design options. In this case, tray 10 (along tray piece) abuts tray 10 a (a mid-sized piece) which in turn abutstray 11 a (a single cup tray piece). Regardless of size (long, medium,single, or in fact other length), the principle of the invention andalignment of troughs and projections is applied.

When trays are installed, one above another on a wall surface, wateringcan be initiated in a preferred form, from the top of the assembly. Asshown in FIGS. 22 (pots) and 23 (no pots), water 46 is introduced into afirst tray level and will travel along the tray to each trough 18(troughs shown best in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5). Due to the limited spaceafforded by projections 16, and the space within the trough filled byplant pot 42, water will rise to the level of the projection point ofabutment 24 and will “spill over” to the next trough in sequence. Byvirtue of this unique configuration and design, space is afforded foronly a minimal amount of water near the distal end of each plant pot,enough for wicking and not for soaking. As such, unneeded water quicklymoves along the tray, over projection sides 43 c and will egress from atray at drain 48. When trays are installed, one above another, drain 48will be the conduit for water supply to the tray level below, as shownclearly in FIG. 22.

In a further alternative embodiment, trays 10 are displayed on a wallsurface in an assembly 50, as depicted in FIGS. 13-18, 20 and 21. Thisassembly includes multiple trays 10 displayed side-by-side in adjacentrows and/or displayed above and below one another in vertical “stacks”.Also provided are corner tray pieces 52 (as shown best in FIGS. 16 and18) for wrapping trays around a non-flat wall surface. These corner traypieces allow for uninterrupted green wall around curves and corners andenhance the adaptability of the entire display system.

Each of trays 10 are configured for simple, removable engagement with anadjacent tray 10 using the mating mechanism described above, forvertical stacking.

FIG. 16 illustrates a preferred embodiment of multi-tray stackedassembly encircling around end 60 of two joining wall surfaces 61. Noneof the advantages or functionality of the tray is lost whether the trayis a corner piece, a long tray or a short tray. FIG. 17 depicts an endview of this same configuration showing primarily end tray pieces 52.FIG. 18 depicts a “slice” of this same multi-tray configuration showingend tray pieces 52 adjacent to plant trays 10. FIGS. 20 and 21 depicteight vertically stacked and nested trays (10). FIG. 20 is ready to beloaded with pots (one is in place at the lowest tray) whereas in FIG. 21all troughs are loaded with pots 42.

It is to be understood that different sized trays can be used togetheron a wall surface. For example, an eight trough tray can be positionedabove a plurality of two trough trays. The combinations for placementvertically and horizontally on a wall surface are endless. One keyadvantage of the ability of interchange tray sizes relates to thediffering propagation needs of specific plant varieties.

It is to be understood that plant pots of varying sizes can be “loaded”into the troughs of the plant trays. FIG. 19 illustrates variouspreferred pot diameters that range from 4″ to 1 foot. This range is notintended to be limiting.

In one embodiment of the present invention, water supply can bespecifically tailored to differing trays. A water supply line for eachspecific variety of plant can be installed to add water only to thosetrays with specific types of plants. Furthermore, water can then bediverted from those trays back into the drain lines before it cascadesdown into the plants below them. This allows watering to be controlledwithin the system on a per species basis. For example, a dry lovingplant could be watered only once every two or three weeks, whereas a wetloving plant could be watered on a weekly basis. Wet loving plants wouldbe situated in trays together and likewise dry loving plants would beseparated in their own trays. Each plant could reside directly beside,below or above the other and yet have completely different wateringschedules that would not conflict with the water requirements of theadjacent plant. This allows for a much higher level of plant healthcontrol and for the intermixing of unlike species together on the wallto achieve specific design or air quality goals.

In a preferred embodiment, each tray includes an irrigation line. In afurther preferred embodiment, each tray includes a drainage line foregress of water to a second tray below the tray when in alignedarrangement on a wall surface.

In a preferred embodiment, the tray of the present invention is attachedto a wall surface that is part of either a wall cabinet or built-inunit.

Trays 10 when not in use and for transportation efficiencies are fullynestable to facilitate ease of shipping and to decrease spacerequirements in shipping containers.

Components of tray 10 are constructed from suitable materials such asextruded plastics, aluminum, stainless steel, or other materials knownin the art. Extruded plastics may further include one or more ofadditional additives for example, anti-microbials, antioxidants,antistatic agents, blowing agents, fragrances, biodegradableplasticizers, biostabilizers, external lubricants, fillers, extenders,flame retardants, heat stabilizers, impact modifiers, internallubricants, light stabilizers, pigments, process aids, reinforcers,rubberizers, and any other additives known in the art. In oneembodiment, the extruded plastics include a rubberizer to enable theplastic to maintain flexibility at cooler temperatures. The plasticsmaterials may include one or more of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene(PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS),polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyfluoroethylene (PFE), polyurethane (PU),polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polycarbonate. Examples of suitablerubberizers include UV additives.

In one embodiment, at least one sensor is integrated into the tray 10.For example, a sensor may be used to detect at least one parameter inthe plant growth environment, for example a physico-chemical conditionin the growth environment or media within or near the plant pots.Preferably, this sensor detects, compiles, and analyzes data related tothe at least one parameter in the plant growth environment. The sensormay, for example, include a temperature sensor or a moisture sensor(within the plant pots) or may include pH sensors and/or nutrientsensors selected for monitoring the media or growing environment

In a preferred embodiment, the planter wall of trays further comprises autility control system for the provision of at least one utility to thetrays. The utility is selected from the group consisting of a heatingline, electrical wire, a misting water supply line and combinationsthereof.

In a preferred form, FIG. 24 illustrates differential water control, asbetween two water supply lines (#1 and #2) having respective drain lines(#1 and #2) and wherein plant species #1 and plant species #2 havediffering watering requirements. By manipulating placement of the trays,applying such secondary water supply lines, the planting arrangementtherein and via drain line diversions, it is possible to control watersupply and volume to “sectors” of the tray stacks.

While embodiments of the present invention have been shown and describedherein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that suchembodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations,changes, and substitutions will be obvious to those skilled in the artwithout departing from the invention. It should be understood thatvarious alternatives to the embodiments of the invention describedherein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended thatthe following claims define the scope of the invention and that methodsand structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents becovered thereby.

While the forms of elongate members, devices and the system describedherein constitute preferred embodiments of this invention, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to these precise forms. Aswill be apparent to those skilled in the art, the various embodimentsdescribed above can be combined to provide further embodiments. Aspectsof the present device and system, and methods of use (including specificcomponents thereof) can be modified, if necessary, to best employ thesystems, methods, nodes and components and concepts of the invention.These aspects are considered fully within the scope of the invention asclaimed. For example, the various methods described above may omit someacts, include other acts, and/or execute acts in a different order thanset out in the illustrated embodiments. Further, in the methods taughtherein, the various acts may be performed in a different order than thatillustrated and described. Additionally, the methods can omit some acts,and/or employ additional acts.

These and other changes can be made to the present systems, methods andarticles in light of the above description. In general, in the followingclaims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the invention tothe specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims,but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along withthe full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.Accordingly, the invention is not limited by the disclosure, but insteadits scope is to be determined entirely by the following claims.

1. A plant propagation and display tray, which is capable ofinterlocking alignment with at least one other tray and which is capableof receiving and holding at least one plant pot, comprises: a back walland a bottom ledge forwardly projecting from said back wall; said ledgebeing inclined towards the back wall and comprising a plurality ofalternating projections and troughs, each of said troughs incliningtowards a trough point of abutment with the back wall and being of aconformation to securably hold one plant pot such that an open proximalend of the plant pot is exposed to view and a distal end of the plantpot is adjacent to the back wall; each of said projections having anupper surface which inclines towards a projection point of abutment withthe back wall, wherein the projection point of abutment is higher thanthe trough point of abutment with the back wall; wherein said tray iscapable of being attached to a wall surface.
 2. The tray of claim 1,wherein the ledge comprises walls at each end.
 3. The tray of claim 1,wherein the back wall, on one side, comprises a substantially flat upperportion and a lower portion, adjacent the ledge, which is thicker thanthe upper portion and which is defined by a plurality of substantiallyV-shaped depressions, each of which points towards a trough on theledge, and wherein the back wall, on the other side, is defined by aflat surface for alignment with a wall surface, when the tray is in use.4. The tray of claim 1, which further comprises an irrigation line. 5.The tray of claim 1, which further comprises a drainage line for egressof water to a second tray below said tray when in aligned arrangement ona wall surface.
 6. The tray of claim 1, which is shaped for nestablestacking with a plurality of plant trays.
 7. The tray of claim 1(tray 1) which comprises, on an upper edge of the back wall, a means forspaceable interconnection with an opposite means of interconnection on alower edge of a back wall of a second tray (tray 2) which may be placedabove said tray on a wall surface.
 8. The tray of claim 7 (tray 1),wherein the means for spaceable interconnection includes a female memberon the upper edge of the back wall and a male member on the lower edgeof the back wall of tray 2 wherein the interconnection of the femalemember of tray 1 and the male member of tray 2 allow exact alignment ofthe trays on the wall and define a desired spacing between the trays. 9.The tray of claim 1 which comprises a mounting device for coupling saidtray to a wall surface.
 10. The tray of claim 1, wherein the wallsurface is part of a wall cabinet.
 11. The tray of claim 1, wherein thewall surface is part of a built-in wall unit.
 12. A planter wall formedof a plurality of interlocking trays as described in claim 1, one aboveanother, and attached to a wall surface.
 13. The planter wall of claim12 which forms part of a wall cabinet.
 14. The planter wall of claim 12which forms part of a built-in wall unit.
 15. The planter wall of claim12, further comprising a utility control system for the provision of atleast one utility to the trays.
 16. The planter wall of claim 12,further comprising at least one utility selected from the groupconsisting of a heating line, an electrical wire, a misting water supplyline, and combinations thereof.
 17. The tray of claim 1, furthercomprising a second tray with a back wall having a lower edge, said traybeing a first tray, said back wall of said first tray having an upperedge and having, on said upper edge, a means for spaceableinterconnection with an opposite means of interconnection on said loweredge of said back wall of said second tray, said second tray beingoperable to be placed above said first tray on a wall surface.
 18. Thetray of claim 17, wherein: the means for spaceable interconnectionincludes a female member on said upper edge of said back wall and a malemember on said lower edge of said back wall of said second tray; and theinterconnection of the female member of said first tray and the malemember of said second tray allow exact alignment of the first and secondtrays on the wall and define a desired spacing between the first andsecond trays.
 19. The tray of claim 1, further comprising a second traywith a back wall having a lower edge, said tray being a first tray, saidback wall of said first tray having an upper edge and having, on saidupper edge, a spaced interconnection device having an opposinginterconnection device on said lower edge of said back wall of saidsecond tray, said second tray being operable to be placed above saidfirst tray on a wall surface.
 20. The tray of claim 19, wherein: thespaced interconnection device includes a female member on said upperedge of said back wall and a male member on said lower edge of said backwall of said second tray; and the interconnection of the female memberof said first tray and the male member of said second tray allow exactalignment of the first and second trays on the wall and define a desiredspacing between the first and second trays.